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"Your horse is a mirror to your soul, and sometimes you may not like what you see. Sometimes, you will.” So says Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback who travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems.

BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.

Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, BUCK is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds."
Awards Winner - Audience Award, Sundance Film Festival 2011
Winner - Audience Award, Full Frame Film Festival 2011
Winner - Best Documentary, Crossroads Film Festival 2011

English actors Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin will star in the movie “Little Boy,” to be produced by Eduardo Verástegui (shown on right) at Baja Film Studios, where “Titanic” was filmed.

Budgeted at $24 million, Little Boy is a family drama set in small-town America in the early days of WWII. The film revolves around an 8-year-old with developmental problems. His only friend is his father, and with his departure to war, the troubled boy is forced to confront the cruelty of schoolmates and others. Jakob Salvati plays the lead child role.

Production will begin in Baja California at the end of August and will open in theaters sometime in 2012. The film will also shoot in Rosarito beach, Ensenada, Tijuana and Tecate.

“Things will happen in this adventure that will make you reflect and laugh, and whose powerful ending will touch your heart,” said the producer. “It’s a story for grownups told from a boy’s perspective.”

Cristiada is "a chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government's attempt to secularize the country. The film follows the stories of ordinary people from across the country who choose to stand up for their freedom. Caught up in a full-fledged civil war, they all must decide how far they are willing to go and what they're willing to risk."

Richard Armitage celebrated his 40th birthday on August 22nd, 2011 and sent this message to his fans via RichardArmitageOnline.

Dear Friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all the kind gifts which have been sent to me over the last few weeks, for my birthday; so many gifts, cards and emails of good wishes from all over the world. (Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Russia, Germany, Korea, Itlay, USA, Canada, Netherlands and all over the UK)

I will be so 'well read', drunk, fat, warm and sweet smelling thanks to your generosity.

I am particularly excited to let you know that the "Just Giving" donations to our four charities has reached an amazing £11,933! In addition to donations to Oxfam and Christchurch Earthquake appeal, which I find both thoughtful and moving.

I am afraid there may be some delay in remitting thank you letters and any requests for signing photos, as I am in New Zealand for the rest of the year, but am working on a system to remedy this.

So middle age has arrived and apparently 'life now begins'. I look forward to the next chapter, there is nowhere I would rather be at this moment than exploring "Middle Earth" with my new family of Dwarves, Elves, Men, Wizard and Hobbit. What a gift to be here, in this place, at this time. I can't wait to share it with everyone. I am a very fortunate man.

The Lady, a biopic of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Starring Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis. More details posted earlier.

Synopsis: The Lady is the extraordinary story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband, Michael Aris. It is also the story of the peaceful quest of the woman who is at the core of Burma's democracy movement. Despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile regime, their love endures until the very end. It's a story of devotion and human understanding set against a backdrop of political turmoil that continues today. The Lady was written over a period of three years by Rebecca Frayn. Interviews with key figures in Aung San Suu Kyi's entourage enabled her to reconstruct for the first time the true story of Burma‟s national heroine.

Dimensions, a period drama/time travel film will debut at the Cambridge Film Festival in September. It features Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Camilla Rutherford among others.

It is the directorial debut of husband and wife directing duo, Ant Neely & Sloane U.Ren, who describe the film as "a cross between H.G. Wells. Time Machine and A Beautiful Mind".

Description from film's blog:‘It’s dark in here. Pitch black. Silent. This is where it all began and where it all ends. Perhaps, though, it isn’t as simple as that. We see our lives, the moments from our birth to our death, as a straight line - never bending, never curving. Those are old ideas though and now it is time for you to discard them and imagine more. It’s time to open your eyes to the possibility that time isn’t a simple ruler, ticking off the moments between the beginning and the end. Time is a line, a loop, a tangle of threads, a sculpture of dazzling complexity.’

Stephen is a brilliant young boy who lives in England, in what appears to be the 1920s - but nothing in Stephen’s life is quite as it seems. His world is turned upside down upon meeting a charismatic and inspirational professor at a garden party, who demonstrates to Stephen and his friends what life would be like if they themselves were merely one, or two, dimensional beings. He then proceeds to explain that by manipulating other dimensions, time travel may actually be possible.

As Stephen’s life unfolds, events lead him to dedicate himself to turning the Professor’s theories of time travel into reality. Jealousy, love, obsession, temptation and greed surround him, influencing his fragile mind and the direction of his work.

Tate Taylor, director of The Help, is now turning his efforts to adapting Peace Like a River, based on the 2002 book by Leif Enger.

GoogleBooks:Hailed as one of the year's top five novels by Time, and selected as one of the best books of the year by nearly all major newspapers, national bestseller Peace Like a River captured the hearts of a nation in need of comfort. "A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing..."

The Playlist: The novel follows the story of an asthmatic young boy who joins his family in a search for his brother, who escaped police custody after having gunned down two thieves that broke into the family home. Set in 1962 Minnesota, the novel deals with many of the era’s social problems and controversies, and won critical praise upon its release.

This new trailer shares additional scenes from the upcoming "Anonymous", starring Rhys Ifans as De Vere, Earl of Oxford who some believe to be the authentic author of the works attributed to William Shakespeare.

The film makes its debut
September in Toronto (tiff)
(Wider release in October 2011)

Steve Hillard has signed a deal with EMO Films to develop and secure financing for a film version of his novel Mirkwood, which centers around a fictional version of The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien. [THR]

Description: “Mirkwood,” named after a forest that appears in many of Tolkien’s works, fictionalizes the accounts of his days spent as a code breaker in World War II. The novel mostly focuses on what would happen if Tolkien’s creations took literal shape in his everyday life. Hillard has been involved in a legal battle with the Tolkien estate for quite some time regarding the fictionalization of the famed author’s life as portrayed in the book. Hillard apparently argued that the book is a work of literary criticism, and he settled with the Tolkien estate, but must include a disclaimer on his book that reads, “This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed nor connected with The J.R.R. Tolkien Estate or its publisher.” [The Playlist]

Emma Thompson has written the screenplay for Effie, the period biopic of Euphemia Gray who was married to the art critic John Ruskin in 1850s London, and later fell in love with his protegé John Millais.

The current lady of the house, the 8th Countess of Highclere Castle has authored Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle about the life of the 5th Countess Almina Victoria Maria Alexandra Wombwell (1877-1969).

"Lady Fiona Carnarvon became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle - the setting of the hit series Downton Abbey - eight years ago. In that time she's become fascinated by the rich history of Highclere, and by the extraordinary people who lived there over the centuries.

Almina was the illegitimate daughter of banking tycoon Alfred de Rothschild. She was his only daughter and he doted on her. She married the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, at 19, with an enormous dowry.

At first, life at Highclere was a dizzying mix of sumptuous banquets for 500 and even the occasional royal visitor. Almina oversaw 80 members of staff - many of whom came from families who had worked at Highclere for generations.

[Image on right - Lady Carnarvon, 1900,
Image on left - Lord and Lady Carnarvon, 1921]

But when the First World War broke out, life at Highclere changed forever.

History intervened and Almina and the staff of Highclere were thrown into one of the most turbulent times of the last century. Almina was forced to draw on her deepest reserves of courage in order to ensure her family, the staff and the castle survived.

This is the remarkable story of a lost time. But Highclere remains and in this book, Fiona weaves Almina's journey and those of her family into the heritage and history of one of England's most exquisite Victorian castles."

"This film reveals the enigma that is Winnie Mandela. A sensitive depiction, Winnie portrays her life's journey amidst the unwavering love between her and Nelson Mandela, and their unfaltering commitment to the struggle for democracy in South Africa. Winnie takes the audience on an epic voyage of understanding — painting a vivid portrait of one of the world's most remarkable women."
Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Terrence Howard, Elias Koteas and Wendy Crewson.

Re-post: Katie Couric has an hour-long video feature on The Help including an extensive interview with author Kathryn Stockett. I've been meaning to watch it and hadn't found the time since finishing the book until now. Part of the interview brought tears to my eyes as I'm already sentimental about the book, its topic and how it is shedding light on the ugliness of racism.

This movie has not been without controversy. Some African Americans have been urging people to boycott the film which I'm puzzled by since the book highlights the injustice that they endured back in the 1960s while most of the white characters in the books are shown in a negative light, highlighting their racism and ignorance. After reading the book, I am thankful that we've made progress with racism and equality and fervently hope that we will continue to erase the racism and injustice that still exists today.

Viola Davis, who is receiving early accolades for her role in The Help, has picked up the rights to “The Personal History of Rachel DuPree” written by Ann Weisgarber.

Description from The Playlist:
The story follows the titular Rachel, who falls for the son of a boardinghouse owner who agrees to marry her on one condition: she must give up her 160 acres from the Homestead Act so he can double his spread. Fast forward to 1917 and living with her husband on a ranch in the west—as one of the few black families in the area—a pregnant Rachel struggles to keep her family fed while her proud husband refuses to move from the land, which is a source of a pride, to better care for her and her children.

Mention has been made that this version of The Three Musketeers would be akin to Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and visiting the official website (which has been launched today) makes me think that the two films do indeed have a similar feel!

Synopsis from Disney: "Academy Award–nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?") brings enchantment to the screen with “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” an inspiring, magical story about a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim—and their small town of Stanleyville—learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life’s greatest gifts.

Take to the skies in The Flying Machine, a spectacular adventure combining 3D stop-motion animation, live action and the music of Fryderyk Chopin. Academy Award winning Hugh Welchman and famed pianist Lang Lang introduce Chopin to new audiences in this modern fairy tale. Featuring: Heather Graham

Here's an interview from Comingsoon.net which features a cast that includes Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek, as well as director Tate Taylor and the author Kathryn Stockett.

Synopsis: Set in Mississipi during the 1960's, The Help focuses on an oft-unsung side of the civil rights movement and the bond between African American maids and the children that they help raise. When an aspiring reporter (Stone) returns to her childhood home and doesn't like what she sees, she convinces a neighbor's maid, Aibileen (Davis), to help her put together a memoir that threatens to put the truth up against some societal boundaries - potentially at a significant cost.

Anyone else like the song used on the trailer? Although I love the song written for the film written by Mary J. Blige, I'm so disappointed that Change the World is not on the soundtrack. You can listen to the songs here.

Like this quote by Minnie (played by Octavio Spencer):
“She’s got so many azalea bushes, her yard’s going to look like ‘Gone With the Wind’ come spring. I don’t like azaleas and I sure didn’t like that movie, the way they made slavery look like a big happy tea party. If I’d played Mammy, I’d of told Scarlett to stick those green draperies up her white little pooper. Make her own damn man-catching dress.”